2009 Mercedes-Benz Championship Preview
Wednesday, January 7th, 2009
Fantasy Golf Preview
I’m giving myself points for picking winners. Hopefully my picks can help you win your fantasy golf league this season. My goal is to get to 80 points for the season, or the equivlant of picking a Top 3 finisher or better each week.
Winner = 10 points
2nd Place = 5 points
3rd Place = 3 points
Top 10 = 1 point
This Week:
1. Anthony Kim
At only 23 years young, Kim is quickly making a name for himself on the PGA Tour. Though it may be too quick to label him “Tiger’s Next Challenge,” he definately has the skills, if not the confidence to try. Early 2009 will be a good time for AK to establish dominance on a Tigerless tour. This is Kim’s first time at Kapalua and it is not out of the question for first timers to win here, as defending champ Daniel Chopra accomplished last season. Expect at least a Top 10 finish for Kim this week in a small field.
2. Camillo Villegas
Looking for his third straight win on the PGA Tour, Spider Man enters 2009 ranked 7th in the world. This will be Camilo’s fourth full year on the PGA Tour and if he can improve on his putting the sky is the limit. Villegas ranked 55th last year in Putts per Round, not bad, not great, but an improvement from his 107th rank in 2007. If that trend continues Villegas will have a better year in 2009 then his breakout year of 2008. Infact I will go on record now and predict a major win from the Florida alum. Like Kim you can expect a Top 10 finish at the Plantation course this week and even a flirt with the win.
3. Ryan Palmer
Palmer gets into the field this week via his win at the fall series Ginn sur Mer Classic. Palmer finished T26 here in 2005 in his only appearance to date. Palmer was playing some good golf down the stretch of the fall series and I look for that to continue. A Top 10 this week is probably a reach but look for him to be at the top of the Leaderboard on Thursday and Friday with some low scoring out of the gate.
BTW, I should disclose that both Villegas and Palmer are on my Rotoff Golf team so I’m calling my shot and predicting a win for Shlink Lincoln this week! You can watch my progress from the Leaderboard link.
The 2009 PGA Tour season is finally hear. Good luck in your fantasy golf leagues this year!
